Three giraffes among animals killed in fire at US wildlife park

Ten animals were killed in a fire at a wildlife parkin the US state of Ohio, the park said in a statement late Friday. Three giraffes, three red river hogs, and a springbok were among thedead, the African Wildlife Safari park in Port Clinton said on itsFacebook page. Three bongos - a type of African forest antelope -were also killed.Some 400 other animals at the park were safe, and no people wereharmed in the fire.  It was unclear what caused the fire, which broke out on Thursdayevening on the US Thanksgiving holiday weekend.A stall housing the 10 animals that died was completely destroyed.Out of fear that the fire could spread, two giraffes and a zebra werefreed from a nearby barn. The traumatized animals were being treatedby a vet.Staff are receiving grief counselling, co-owner Holly Hunt said inthe statement.The park would remain closed and reopen in the new year, the parksaid, as a winter break was planned to start on December 2 anyway.